Friday 26 January 2018

Iroquoia #5 Sherman Falls 46.4 km to Sydenham Rd Lookout 58.6 km, January 25, 2018

 We actually hiked from the Sydenham Lookout to the 
Conservation Parking lot on Artaban Road.
 Today we had a baker's dozen: Case; Richaed (welcome back); 
Steve our leader; Marleen; Rob; John; Karen; Fran; Nancy; 
Ron; Arpi; Ann and Sefan.
 The hike started with a steep climb down past a frozen waterfall.

 We across the Dundas Valley from Sydenham Road.
 We walk through a section of Dundas and then skirt the 
Dundas Golf & Country Club


We are forced to climb around the roots of a huge maple tree 
that has recently toppled over.
The picture below is the same tree in February of last year

 Some of us fell behind the peleton but stopped for a 'bridge picture' anyway
 We stop for lunch at the recreated train station.
 We came across many treacherous icy spots 
and icers were required in these locations


 The Hermitage ruins 


 More ice

The last long hill .... and ice.

Friday 19 January 2018

Toronto #1, Philip Gosling Side Trail 0.8 km to Pear Tree Park 11.2 km - Jan. 18, 2018

 We parked at the Hilton Falls Conservation Area and followed the Philip Gosling
 Side Trail to the Bruce Trail and hiked to Pear Tree Park at Speyside.
Todays hikers; Case; Eric; Steve our leader; Karen; Marleen; John;
 Rob; Arpi; Mike; Nancy; Ann; Fran; Ron and Stefan.
The weather was overcast and the temp -9C

Hiking tends to keep you slim, which is a good thing.

A woodpecker smorgasbord. 
The views from this hike are typically spectacular, but not today.

The bridge across the entrance to the Dufferin Quarry.


Arpi, our newest hiker


The pace picks up as the hikers 'smell' the cars.

Saturday 13 January 2018

Iroquoia 1st Section Grimsby 0.0 km to Lewis Rd Access Trail 11.1 km, January 11, 2018

 Today we hiked this section from Lewis Road east to Grimsby
The weather was warm +10C and the footing was somewhat slushy and slippery 
but it was a good hike.
 And today's motley crew consisted of Case; Steve our leader; 
Marleen; Stephan; Ron; Rob; Nancy; John; Fran and Mike.
 To get to the Bruce Trail we first have to traverse the 460m Lewis Access Trail, 
a steep climb up the Escarpment.


 We had several tricky stream crossing but we didn't lose anyone.

 "Yes Fran; there really is a Santa Claus. 
How else do you think these got here?"
 A steep climb to the top of the Escarpment ....

 Not a bad view of Lake Ontario despite the dull weather.
 The turn out for the customary 'bridge picture' was rather disappointing.
 Lunch break at the Beamer Memorial Conservation Area. 
This tower is utilized for observing the hawk migration in the spring

 Looking east across the Town of Grimsby.

 We descend the Escapement beside the Beamer Falls.



We complete the hike on the bridge across Forty Mile Creek. 
This marks the end of the Niagara Section and the start of the 
Iroquoia Section of the Bruce Trail